Orso

We had just the most wonderful time! The restaurant is cozy and intimate, with a very pleasant, romantic decor. The coat check was very helpful with our winter wear, and the host was fantastic. We arrived a bit early for our reservation but were able to be sat right away, even with the pre-theater crowd, which was bustling! My wife had planned out our dining for my 40th birthday celebration, and this place was just perfect. We are total foodies from Chicago. We love to watch cooking shows, cook at home, and eat at wonderful restaurants, and truly the meal tonight at Orso was one of the best I’ve ever had. The kitchen is TALENTED, and they deserve much praise! Our whole evening was made even better by the wonderful service from our server Nicole. Her warm and friendly personality, expertise, and professionalism helped to make the birthday dinner feel special, and now we can’t wait to return back for another meal during a future visit to NYC! Thank you, Nicole! This is the perfect spot to dine before a show, or the perfect spot to dine, period.

Cozy restaurant, very good italian cuisine. The only thing I would expect would be better expertise in wine selection and serving. Buying bottle of wine should be accompanied with proper tasting and serving, not only that waiter would open the bottle and leave it on the table without pouring it into the glass.

I had the liver, Venice style ($32), it was absolutely delicious. It came with crispy onions and pine nuts (pictured below). On another visit I had the salmon. It was moist and the mashed potatoes enhanced the salmon flavor, I would order it again. The staff were pleasant and efficient. I enjoyed the Bronzino filet that came with cauliflower mixed with raisins. The restaurant is located on 46th Street, just off the corner of 8th Avenue in a westerly direction. The first picture below , from left to right, shows the back of the restaurant, the other shows the middle of the restaurant. Their air conditioning was a little too strong for me the last time I was there. The restaurant has a kitchen that closes late in the evening, which is good for after the theater dining. They are closed on Mondays.

I walked past this restaurant many times when I eat on a restaurant on 46 street this time we thought we give it a try and I’m glad we did no wonder it’s been open since 1983. The service was excellent everybody in the restaurant that greeted you was friendly. I had the salmon which was delicious. We also had a pasta dish and the softshell crabs they gave you complementary bread and butter. We tournament was a birthday so we got a little ice cream with a candle on Itagain it’s moderately price considering you’re in New York City

It's a cute family spot for Italian food on a street packed with tourist traps, a recommended place if you're thinking about going to a show nearby. The restaurant is small and cozy, nothing splashy and the service is very attentive and friendly. The menu is extremely small and limited, so make sure you check it before you go so you have options. The food is nothing to write home about but it's okay, you will most likely enjoy it, just won't be impressed. I have to highlight the mussels appetizer, they were juicy and the sauce was absolutely tasty (I mopped it out with the bread). The bolognese pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce is also pretty good. If you're a fan of calf liver (like I am) I can assure you you'll like this flavorful and tender one (it's hard to find a place that does it justice). In an area that is flocked with tourists and people going to theaters, it's a place good enough to have an okay dinner at a reasonable price.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Carlos was an absolutely phenomenal waiter! From the moment we were seated, his attentiveness and genuine care for our dining experience stood out. The food was absolutely insane, and both Carlos and his trainer guided us to the most phenomenal night. He anticipated our needs, made thoughtful recommendations, and ensured every detail was perfect. Dining felt effortless and enjoyable thanks to his professionalism and warm personality. Truly exceptional service—Carlos made our meal unforgettable!

This is the third time I've eaten here. The first two were over 20 yrs ago and it was just as good as I remembered. We started with the thin pizza thingy with olive oil and rosemary. It's simple, but so good. Along the way we had a wonderful bottle of wine. My wife and I shared a pasta dish and some roasted potatoes. The desserts were awesome. We had Olive oil cake and Lace truffle. I'll have both again on my next visit.

A good location if you’re going to a play and want to have more than a quick bite for dinner beforehand. They were really good at getting the food out so people wouldn’t be late for their shows. The food is totally mediocre and totally adequate. My favorite thing was the spread that came with the bread. The mussels were juicy and tasty. The cheese on the caprese was not good at all and the pappardelle pasta was chewy. The space is small and cozy.

My wife, son and I had a late night dinner after a Broadway show. Upon entering the underground restaurant, you are stunned by the beautiful simplicity of their layout. Warm tones, simple tables that created an extremely pleasant environment. You are immediately served bread and a hummus type dip. The bread was fresh, slightly dense, with a outstanding flavor. For appetizer, we selected the antipasti. There was enough food there for five or six people. It included extremely fresh salami, prosciutto, mortadella, finocchiona , assorted olives, marcona almonds, sheep's milk ricotta-spicy honey, grilled bread. All the meats were so extremely fresh and thinly sliced. It was outstanding. We knew we had an entrée coming so we didn't want to only fill ourselves up with antipasti We wound up taking the leftovers to go. For our main course, my wife and I both had RIGATONI BOLOGNESE meat sauce, and parmesan for my wife. I have a dairy allergy and they prepared mine with no Parmesan and no butter. The rigatoni was perfectly cooked al dente with a succulent meat sauce that was seasoned delicately with salt, pepper, garlic, and tomato paste. my son had the COSTOLETTE DI MAIALE, oven roasted pork chop, roasted potatoes, black mission fig marsala sauce. The succulent chop could've easily fed two people. The roasted potatoes were perfectly cooked with salt pepper, some garlic, nestled in the fig marsala sauce. My son said that the pork chop was so tender, He barely needed a knife to cut it and the potatoes were creamy on the inside with beautifully crusted exterior. For the wine, my son and wife ordered uva di troia Botromagno, 2020, from puglia. They started with a quarter bottle and finished off with another order because of it's wonderful taste and complexity Our server Robert was a gem. He asked us about our trip, the show we saw, and established an immediate rapport with the three of us. His knowledge of the offerings was outstanding. He was able to help me with my allergy issue, recommended the perfect wine for my son and wife and checked in with us frequently to make sure there wasn't anything else we needed. The meal was not just fabulous because of the food, but the atmosphere, the attention to detail, and the friendliness, of the staff, made this a wonderful dining experience.

My brother-in-law, sister and nieces took my daughter and I to Orso! It was a fun NYC experience as a fun Italian traditional restaurant tucked away like a speakeasy. Tracy our server was great, friendly and very attentive. The atmosphere was friendly, we saw a Broadway star and enjoyed the appetizers, fresh pasta, pizza, tiramisu and wine. Just a fun great pre-Christmas restaurant!

We came here before a Broadway show and they were very accommodating without a reservation. We were a little worried when we sat down because the menu is small. Ended up being the best meal we've had in NYC. The Burrata appetizer was very good. The roasted chicken, pizza, and rigatoni were also delicious! It's a small cozy place with very friendly people. Glad we stopped in on a whim!!

Another great dinner at Orso. Nice restaurant in the theater district. Always try to get there when in the city. From the wine selection to the appetizers to the entrees, impeccable quality food.

My friend and I were going to be in town for one night only to see Hell's Kitchen. I had searched on the net prior for what I hoped to be a non touristy trap type, quality food, but within a manageable walking distance spot. I have standards for food and drink. I wasn't looking for a life changing dining experience but something solid. They start you with bread and a white bean dip. The bread was AMAZING. It tasted like Balthazar's. We had no bread plates. I saw none on other tables either. It was messy and I did not like that. My girlfriend ordered Rigatoni Bolognese and a Kir. She asked for a Riesling which they did not have. The Kir was recommended. I personally did not understand that recommendation, but, she accepted it. I don't think she enjoyed it. She barely drank any of it. She loved her Rigatoni though. I ordered the Risotto Gambero - arborio rice, shrimp, tomato, zucchini, lemon zest, parmesan. The shrimp were cut into small pieces, the rice was a touch too al dente for my taste. The dish overall didn't wow me but flavor was ok. I tasted no lemon zest. I expected whole shrimp perhaps with a grill crust on them. I don't like diced shrimp in a dish because I am not a child. That just sends a message they are trying to hide the quantity of the protein. Servings were on the petite side but I did not take issue with that because I felt full when done. I did not want to have leftovers given we were headed to the theater. The interior was petite. We were seated in the middle of the room at a four top sandwiched up against at least three other tables. Our table had to be slid out so we could sit in the seats for the table to be slid back. I felt like I was in the lap of the people behind us. We were near a stairwell that went to the basement that I assumed led to restrooms as diners were going down there. There was a faint septic smell that wafted at me several times during dinner. That was off putting. Our server was there at the beginning and our entrees came out efficiently. We didn't see her after that and had a time lag with getting dessert ordered. We started dinner at 5:15 and almost didn't make our show start of 7pm. Theater was a 5 minute walk away. We literally sat in our theater seats five minutes before curtain having no time to hit the bar or the ladies room. Entrees range @ $30 each. I did notice there was a four top in the corner near the half wall to the bar that remained open our entire time there. I would have much preferred to be sat there and be tucked away rather than out in the middle of traffic with the back of my chair slapped up against the table behind me. This was a special birthday in the city night for me. I feel I could have made a better decision. I don't feel the need to do a repeat.

I walked pass this restaurant many times when I go to restaurant on 46 street I have been to the one in London and I've been to it many years ago but I must say it was beyond my expectations. Small restaurant small menu but the food was delicious. I had the salmon. We also had a pasta dish and we had the softshell crab. Excellent. Waite Remember staff was excellent. Everybody was well trained, professional, and helpful. They brought us a little ice cream with a candle on it make us feel special for our birthday !!moderate price New York standards I will definitely return !!! It been way too long and now I know the reason it's been in business since 1983 is because it's a little gem of a restaurant

This restaurant has figured out what makes places successful. The portion size is well-calculated. This place has visual charm and genuine human warmth. Making customers feel known creates comfort. This restaurant created complete satisfaction.

It's a cute family spot for Italian food on a street packed with tourist traps, a recommended place if you're thinking about going to a show nearby. The restaurant is small and cozy, nothing splashy and the service is very attentive and friendly. The menu is extremely small and limited, so make sure you check it before you go so you have options. The food is nothing to write home about but it's okay, you will most likely enjoy it, just won't be impressed. I have to highlight the mussels appetizer, they were juicy and the sauce was absolutely tasty (I mopped it out with the bread). The bolognese pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce is also pretty good. If you're a fan of calf liver (like I am) I can assure you you'll like this flavorful and tender one (it's hard to find a place that does it justice). In an area that is flocked with tourists and people going to theaters, it's a place good enough to have an okay dinner at a reasonable price.

Great pre Broadway spot to grab some Italian food. Delicious wine menu and fantastic dishes. We enjoyed everything we ate! Our server was friendly, knowledgeable and left us to ourselves to enjoy a private dinner as a family. Quaint atmosphere with good music and Italian vibe decor. We enjoyed our meal!

Charming, cozy spot for a pre-theater meal ... this is a lovely (throw back -- in a good way!!) restaurant ... excellent, thoughtful, and personable service will make you feel very well-cared for before your show (and no worries about making your theater time) ... the food is delicious -- all serviced on whimsical Italian pottery -- the black sea bass and penne bolognese were particular standouts ... as well as the house-made white bean dip they serve with warm crusty bread. Great reasonable wine choices and elegant cocktails... Can't wait to go back!!

Great ambiance, service, and food. They have pre-theater dining down to a science. Would also be a great spot for special occasion dining.

We visited Orso before attending a Broadway show. The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. However, it is very pricey. Nice for a two people. We had five and it was a big bill for us.

A friend recommended this restaurant to us and Joe Allen. We dined here first and the host was so incredible nice. He was telling us that people were leaving soon and our table would be ready soon. The lady bartender was amazing. We got a glass of champagne. Once we got to our table, we were greeted by a really nice waiter. We loved our different animal plates (kids loved it too). We ordered the following: Burrata - Delicious. Tuna tartare - Delicious Lamb chops - exceptional Branzino alla piastra - Yummy. Great flavors. Crispy skin and moist fish. Rigatoni alla Bolognese - kids ate this entire dish up!!! My daughter's favorite food is Bolognese and you guys nailed it! Pistachio biscotti - crunchy and delicious Overall, the service was amazing and the food was exceptional. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We're so glad we tried this restaurant on our first night in NYC

The food is wonderful and fresh at Orso. The service is friendly as is the whole vibe. I can't say enough about this elegant restaurant. I have risotto often and the dish at Orso's is the best I ever had. The wine is always good and I think the pricing is really reasonable.

I have lived part of my life here and only now am posting about this amazing place. Why? This time, even more than before, made me feel like family and a queen all at the same time. The food was amazing and, unlike so many others, did not give me heartburn from the meat sauce.

Delightful spot on 46 St - we had an amazing swordfish, tender and good sized entree. Also the calf's liver was surprisingly tender and seasoned to perfection. My friend enjoyed the pasta bolognese, and their desserts deserve you saving some room in your belly. One other note, the latte and cappuccino are noteworthy.

Great food, backed up by impeccable service, can not be denied! What a great experience, intimate and relaxing, a must ! Amazing appetizers, sautéed artichokes, grilled octopus both superbly prepared. Unbelievably fresh pasta ! Deliciously grilled fish, and the deserts was delightful, don't miss the tiramisu! A slice of Italy A special shout out to the madre, great job !

Just want to add a few thing - came here again for brunch. -shrimp and polenta- how creative is this??? Polenta on bottom cooked in a lobster consommé surrounded by shrimp and Cajun sausage. A poached egg on top. Just amazing. - my mom and brother both had lamb meatballs over a breaded portobello mushroom Mozzarella cheese and red sauce on top. They both loved it. - the most delicious vanilla/chocolate tartufo ever. Covered in coco with chocolate cookie pieces inside. -Raspberry sorbet was the best I ever tasted. This place never ever disappoints. Great service. Gorgeous dishes.

Orso is a GREAT Pre-Theatre Spot We were Orso "regulars" pre-pandemic, but with much more limited hours (no more pre matinee lunches, now closed on Sundays, etc.) it's now even MORE difficult to snag a last minute reservation than it once was. Plan WELL ahead if you wish to dine at Orso, as it's well worth it. While the menu is quite limited, there are appealing gluten free, vegetarian and healthy options. We enjoyed a mixed salad (fresh, crispy, well dressed) and rosemary bread to start. (The house bread with dip is also yummy). We then enjoyed the penne pasta in a delicious tomato cream sauce and the fettuccine in a tasty pomodoro sauce. The salmon with mushrooms was delectable and perfectly prepared. We were satiated from dinner so just had cappuccino and cafe americanos and skipped the very appealing looking desserts. (We all wished they had dairy free milk for the Cappucinos). To add to the truly good food and civilized ambiance, our server, James, was so attentive, professional and lovely. The host was also charming and accommodating. Orso, we have missed you SO, and can't wait to dine with you again SOON!

The place is cozy but sitting is a bit tight There are vegetarian options along with gluten free available It's a try

Went here for dinner during the business holiday season. I was part of a pretty large group and though we all fit the tables are tight and we needed to be at two tables to accommodate us all. That in itself is not a problem but when you add the table tightness to it this was less than ideal. Service was good, they had a nice selection of bottled beer, and I had the lamb chops scottadito with eggplant-mint purée, green beans, radish, arugula. They were good but I still left with the feeling that the value just wasn't there for what I just ate. Yes, this is Manhattan and considering the location it probably should not be surprising.

4-star prices, 2-star food, ambiance, & service. Disappointing from start to finish. There are many better options on restaurant row--Sicily, for one, if you're craving Italian with wonderful service & cozy ambiance, comparable prices.

Probably the best meal I had in NYC. I was disappointed when I saw that they were not offering Pizza. My partner and I ordered Branzino and Papperdelle. I left thinking that the not having the pizza oven was a blessing in disguise. The service was outstanding.

My wife and I dined here prior to a show. It's a nice cozy atmosphere. Our service was prompt, attentive, and mindful that we were attending a show, but never felt rushed. My Italian old fashioned cocktail was lovely. Menu is small but good options. My wife had a linguini and I had sea bass. We each enjoyed our meal and flavors were well-balanced. Tiramisu for dessert was phenomenal, and cappuccino was perfect.

Super nice staff and excellent food. Quiet away from the bustle even though in midtown

I had stopped by one day recently to look over their menu and was intrigued by the fig pizza. I couldn't stop that day but went yesterday. It was after the matinee but before the evening rush. I did't think it would be a problem to get a table at this time but they were expecting a larger crowd but were able to seat me. I received a glass of tap water and some Italian bread with a delicious white bean spread. After checking the menu again, I ordered the fichi pizza, a decent sized pizza with black mission figs, gorgonzola cheese, arugula, prosciutto and walnuts. It was very good and filling. At the end of my meal, I ordered a double espresso which was great as well. The restroom was clean and well maintained. The waitress was very accommodating and attentive. I would recommend and return.

Lovely service, food was terrific. If you like liver and onions, this is the place to splurge.

Absolutely wonderful dining experience at Orso's! The moment we walked in we were greeted warmly and helped with our coats and umbrella's on a very rainy night. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. Seating is very comfortable and the noise level was low where we could easily converse. As a New Yorker, I'm wondering why I'd never been there previously as it's in the heart of the theater district. We'll certainly return.

A spectacular dinner !! The chicken was the best. The service was amazing in truly a delicious place

Nice comfortable restaurant off the beaten path of tourists and tourist trap restaurants. Small and intimate. Authentic Italian cuisine from start to finish. We started with cocktails and very generous I might add. Appetizers of tuna tartare and prosciutto, pear and arugula; very delicious. I usually do not order pasta but I did and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Pasta with sausage and broccoli; a nice portion and not overwhelming. We shared a dessert as the finishing touch.

Very good Italian restaurant. Prices are good. Wine list is still weak. Good for lunch, dinner and after theater.

My friend, who works in Midtown, met me here for dinner, and the waiter was thoughtful to ask if we were on our way to a show so that he could help manage our time. We were not, so we didn't have to rush. I had the pappardelle with tomato sauce, and she had the lamb chops - and outordered me. While the pasta was delicious, the sauce was so simple (I get it - it's supposed to be a simple Pomodoro sauce), while the lamb was seasoned so nicely and served with a gorgeous veggie side. We each enjoyed the hosue wine, which was a great $ deal as well. Overall a nice dinner in a lovely spot!

A very solid choice on restaurant row. We went after the theater crowd had left, and as expected across the row, the food & service pick up nicely. We started with the garlic pizza bread, which is not exactly as expected...more of a garlic pappadam than a pizza crust, but very tasty. Main course was the thinly sliced calf liver with pancetta, excellent flavor with no tough spots to be found anywhere. The side dish was brussels sprouts, which were perfectly crispy and quite tasty. The raspberry sorbet to finish was quite good as well. Wine selection is minimal, but the bottle of nebbiolo was priced right and tasted just fine. Overall price is right in line with expectations (for post-theater seating), and the ambience of the space is quite good. Conversations can be had without having to tune out loud music or patrons. Service is a just average. Our waiter, while making decent recommendations, alternated between just polite enough and just averagely attentive.

I went to Orso for lunch before a matinee show, and it was an amazing experience! First off, the waiter started off by asking if we were seeing a 2pm show. I'm sure it's common for that restaurant to get a lot of theatre goers, but still loved that he asked. He was very attentive and overall a very good waiter. The food was absolutely delicious. My mom and I shared the pan fried baby artichokes which were my favorite dish of the entire meal. It was sautéed artichoke hearts with shaved Parmesan on top, with a lemon on the side. For our entrees I got the scallops and my mom got the penne eggplant, again both of which were absolutely delicious. My scallops were a small dish, as they usually are, and they were seared to perfection. They were a little small but I didn't mind, displayed in a circle with a lightly dressed salad in the middle. I absolutely loved this restaurant and definitely plan on returning again!

On "Restaurant Row" (46 St., Theater District), we had lunch at Orso before seeing a Broadway Show. My wife enjoyed the mussels in a tomato sauce and I ordered the spagetti with marinara sauce and eggplant (without the burrata it's offered with), but it was only about 10% eggplant - otherwise very good. What stole the show, however, was dessert. I can't recall having a better tiramisu, so soft in the middle it was almost dripping wet and razor thin strips of chocolate on top. My wife ordered the fresh fruit and it was red grapes, strawberries, honeydew and pineapple - all perfectly ripe. Both desserts were large enough to split four ways. I also enjoyed my double-shot capuccino. It was expensive, but not crazy. Nice atmosphere too.

For my experience last Sunday, I always believed the Yelp and I just founded this restaurant. Food was not super surprised but it was ok... Big thing was I swiped my credit card and I paid tip for cash but the next day, my credit card statement had extra charged $17.40 (tip) from Orso!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Extremely super super disappointed and I called the bank and they got fund back to me!!!!! In my opinion, don't go there but if you want to go there, please be careful!!!

Within the theater district it is usually a pretty safe bet to get mediocre food with rushed service, and Orso was a nice change from that. The service was great, and fast, but not rushed, and the food was fresh and tasty, although some items were definitely better than others. The breadbasket came along with a side of white bean spread, and I have to say the spread might have been my favorite part of the meal. Very similar to hummus, the spread was flavorful with delicious olive oil and and tons of herbs. For my entree I ordered the derosa pizza with prosciutto, burrata, tomato sauce and mozzarella. My least favorite part of the pizza had to be the crust, which was pretty bland and lackluster. The toppings were delicious though, with thinly sliced pieces of salty prosciutto. The burrata was also an added bonus of fresh, cold cheese that blended perfectly with the hot mozzarella. I also had the chance to try my mothers spaghetti with roasted eggplant, burrata and tomato sauce and I have to say, I was a bit jealous I didn't order it for myself. There are a lot of very mediocre places to go in the theater district, but Orso provides a nice homey vibe, from the decor to the painted plates with animals on it.

The ambiance of the place is nice, the inside is charming and the dishes are pretty. I came here because I saw the reviews on yelp were up there. Around 5:15 the place was packed but I was the youngest person in there. The crowd is on the older side (maybe because I was there for an early dinner). The Caprese appetizer was my favorite part - the mozzarella cheese was extremely fresh. I got the fra diavolo pizza and it was just okay. I was expecting the sauce to have more spice, it sort of tasted like regular pizza sauce. I liked the thin crust and it wasn't greasy at all. The wait staff was very nice and accommodating. If I were to go back I'd try the pasta. Overall, there was nothing bad about my experience but there was nothing to make me want to run back here so quickly.

This is a perfect restaurant for a pre-theatre dinner. The food is delicious, the portions are ideal (filling but not overbearing), and the atmosphere is lovely. The restaurant is small but it is quaint, peaceful, and has the most beautiful plates and cups. Seriously though, I plan on buying the same brand for my own kitchen! As for the actual meal itself, the food is really fantastic. They start you off with some bread and white bean dip, which is incredibly addicting. I challenge you not to get seconds... and thirds. For my main dish, I order the large maltagliata pasta dish. The pasta was well-cooked and the mushrooms really tasty and not overbearing at all. I hate when pasta dishes are too heavy and I feel immobile afterwards; that's not the case here. It's a nice, light pasta dish you will surely enjoy. Beyond the pasta, I also shared the margherita pizze and that was also delicious, shockingly good even. It may have been the best pizza I've had when dining in at an Italian restaurant. The ingredients were very fresh, the crust was light and crisp, and it had a lovely balance between the cheese and sauce. Definitely a nice option for sharing with the table! On top of that, the service is great and the coffee is awesome. You can't go wrong with dinner at orso.

I would give Orso somewhere between 3-4 stars, but only because of previous reviews claiming this was their best meal in the city and my expectations were raised but not necessarily met. The food is solid but nothing to write home about. I was slightly disappointed since it seems like they're still going through some sort of utility check up/renovation and have a more limited menu (ie no pizza options). I had the linguine and mussels (w red sauce btw) which was good. Shared the buffalo mozzarella and arugula salad as appetizers, and the mozz was my favorite. If you're in the area for a show, Orso is a decent choice for a convenient meal close by but I wouldn't recommend coming out of your way for it. Service was great though, from coat check to waiters. They provided a complimentary scoop of gelato with a candle for a birthday in our party which was very sweet.

We just left a very nice supper at Orso. Pasta cooked to perfection, all the food was delicious. We had a great bottle of red. But the server was a little surly. The restaurant was only 30% full and we waited 10-15 minutes just to get water and a menu. But we were there for the food and the food was worth coming back for.

I would like to say its old school Italian; but it's not. It's more a tried tourist pre-theater spot. Limited menus, abrupt service - order a bottle of wine and are told that "its casual service, so pour yourself" - and very standard Italian fare. My microwaved penne was served on a cold plate with the top portion cool and the bottom warm, not exactly what you would expect for $23.

Made reservations through open table for a late after show dinner. We had to change our reservation time to accommodate autographs at the Theater Door, Orso was very understanding. We were seated right away with water and bread. Appetizers were good and our entrees generous. The decor was cozy and pleasant and the food delicious. I will dine here again post show.

Absolutely wonderful! Food was perfect and the wine was lovely! This is like a comfy upgrade from eating at your Italian grandma's house...very sweet and cozy with wonders food...service was nothing exciting but altogether wonderful!!

Worst food experience in midtown... ever. If you like your scallops to smack you in the face with the scent of ammonia, eat here. If you like your "house made pasta" to have the exact same texture as pasta from a box, eat here. The only saving grace of this establishment was the gentleman that, I assume, was a manager. He offered to rectify the spoiled scallops. I chose to decline. As we were leaving, he apologized again. He handled the situation gracefully.

Not a bad experience but I would probably not come back. The food was decent but lacked flavor. Menu is small and lacks choices, changes daily so they didn't have what we expecting from previous pictures. I ended up settling on the margarita pizza. Service was mediocre, at best, other servers seemed to have personality.

Orso was recommended by a local friend, but when we asked the concierge at our hotel, he recommended against it. We should have listened to the concierge! My dining companion and I both ordered pasta dishes. We ordered half portions, because normally that means the full portions are really large, right? Who knows, but our half portions were tiny. We were not offered parmesan, so I had to flag down the waitress to get some. In the end my pasta was mediocre, and I didn't even finish. Disappointing. Meanwhile, the waitress was unpleasant and seemed exasperated even though we had minimal contact with her. Will not go back.

A solid choice for sure with prices that are not over the top, but the kitchen was not as great as I had hoped. Pizza's were very thin crust, pretty nice especially the funghi which was interesting and delicious. The scallops I had just wasn't the best mix of flavors, it came out rather "cold" even though the searing on the scallops was very good, and the portion was excellent and well presented. This is a solid choice. Especially since you can get large 1 litre carafe's of wine either primitivo or pinot grigio for $30. That's pretty good in a city that can cost you a lot more for alcohol on the table. The service and ambience are also good. Again not great or memorable, but very nice for a date or a business group meal.

For those searching for a reliable theater district meal -- keep looking. Orso is an average restaurant boasting higher prices than the food or service supports. Mediocre food pairs appropriately with an uninspiring drink / wine list. The appetizers are swiming in cheese to mask the true flavors of the dishes, the portions of which are probably 20% too small to justify their prices. Main dishes are likewise disappointing. The Black Spaghetti should be a home run but instead is coated in pungent film. The pasta, crab, and hot oil should blend together. Instead, they seem to be fighting each other. The smell is unappetizing and evokes images of picnicking beside the Gowanus Canal. The skirt steak is wet with some type of coating that renders the steak useless and unrecognizable. Saving the restaurant from one star is the service, which is professional and pleasant.